Sleeping With Sleep

XI

After about a minute, a small group of E.M.T.s came in and separated Ves and I. They poked around at his leg, determined he needed a few stitches, and rolled him onto a stretcher. I watched from a few feet away with shaky hands, chewing on my lip. One of the paramedics popped up next to me.

"Hi, I just need an emergency contact and his current place of stay, please." I gave him my own phone number and the address of the building, explaining that they were here temporarily. The paramedic nodded and thanked me, but paused when he noticed the blood spots on my shirt.

"Those yours or his?" I froze, not knowing if the others had given an excuse for mine yet. Thankfully, before I could respond, Vessel spoke up.

"Hers. Damn raccoon was on a rampage, I swear." He had a gorgeous, goofy smirk and a playful glint in his eye. I knew he was jabbing at Sleep with that one. The E.M.T.s rolled Vessel out of the room and II followed them out. The E.M.T. beside me chuckled at Vessel's joke and turned back to me.

"Alright then, why don't you go ahead and come with us, getcha checked out." I nodded and wrung my hands, hesitant.

"Um... Can I run to another room to grab something really quick, please?..." He smiled warmly and nodded.

"No problem, I'll be right outside." I smiled back shyly and took off towards Vessel's room. No way I'm gonna sit in a cold hospital with next to nothing on while they spray stinging alcohol into my wounds. I rifled through Vessel's duffel in the corner of the bedroom and found another pair of sweats. I yanked the drawstring tight around my hips and ran back out to meet up with the paramedic.

He led me out of the concert hall and into the cold winter air. I hugged my waist and walked swiftly, praying the ambulance was warm. The E.M.T. opened one of the back doors and ushered me in, shutting the door behind us. I settled on a metal bench seat next to II, who I assumed was allowed to ride as a 'family member'. The ride was short and quiet. Almost awkwardly so. II and I kept sharing glances, wanting to talk about what had happened, but knowing we couldn't. The only time words were exchanged in the ambulance was when one of the paramedics tried to compliment me on the runes still on my skin.

"I like the tats you have there. Wait, tattoos or makeup, cause I know he's got some special effects makeup goin' on." I knew she was referring to his eyes so I glanced at II for help and he just subtly shook his head. I didn't know what that meant so I panicked and picked one.

"R-Right, thank you! They're uh, tattoos... Just got 'em..." The woman just nodded, smiling. II shrugged and looked forward out the windshield, satisfied with the exchange.

We eventually pulled up to the emergency bay at the nearby hospital and I was rushed out the back doors and out of the way. They carefully unloaded Vessel, and II and I followed the paramedic that talked to me in the ambulance. She led us swiftly through a bunch of winding hallways, as if she was trying to lose us in the maze. She finally slowed down when we made it to a triage room. She pushed Vessel through the doors and settled him between a bunch of complicated machines. She waved and walked out, pulling the curtain shut behind her. II sighed heavily and slumped into one of the chairs next to Vessel.

"Christ, I'm glad you said tattoos. As soon as she asked, I immediately thought of them trying to wash away the ones on your chest and stomach." I nodded, my eyes wide.

"Good point. Do you... Think these will ever go away?..." II shrugged.

"Being totally honest with you, I've never seen that many pop up. I see your hands have an 'S' and an 'E'. What other ones are there?" I rub the rune on my inner thigh.

"Vessel said this one was a 'V'? And the one on my shoulder was another 'E'. I don't know the others... I'm not yet well-versed in your guys' runes..." II nodded and pulled out his phone. He tapped away for a second before passing it to me.